Juan de Fuca Marine Research

12/02/2020

Check out our new research poster presented at the California Cooperative Oceanic and Fisheries investigations conference! We presented out findings on the ecology of transient killer whales in Monterey Bay, California. This was based on collaborative studies between us (The Transient Killer Whale Research Project), Monterey Bay Marine Life Studies, and NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center.


NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

We are thrilled today to be sharing a research poster in the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations Conference (CalCOFI).

The theme of the conference is Understanding unprecedented changes in marine & coastal environments of the California Current Ecosystem. The next two days will be focused on updates regarding the California Current Ecosystem.

Hosted by NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Our research poster is titled: Recent Trends in the Ecology of Transient Killer Whales in Monterey Bay, California 2006-2018. It highlights 12 years of our research in Monterey Bay, California.

The poster and research was a collaborative effort between researchers at the Transient Killer Whale Research Project, Marine Life Studies, and NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center.

Citation: McInnes, J.D., Mathieson, C. R., West-Stap, P. J., Marcos, S. L., Wade, V. L., Moore, J. E., and Olson, P. A. 2020. Recent trends in the ecology of transient killer whales in Monterey Bay, California 2006-2018. Poster presented at: CalCOFI Conference 2020: Understanding unprecedented changes in California’s marine and coastal environment; December 1-2, 2020; online.

NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Juan de Fuca Marine Research
Monterey Bay Marine Life Studies

11/20/2020

Victoria, BC (11-19-2020): Around 4:00 PM today researchers JDFMR researchers Josh McInnes and Chelsea Mathieson were along Dallas Road and spotted a group of 6 transient killer whales 500m from the shore. The whales were traveling steadily west towards Ogden Point. Unfortunately they were not able to identify the whales.

The Transient Killer Whale Research Project

11/13/2020

Hot off the press!!

We are very excited to announce that our publication documenting a new foraging behaviour by Bigg's (transient) killer whales was published today in the peer reviewed Aquatic Mammals Journal: McInnes, J. N. Buckmaster, K. D. Cullen, C. R. Mathieson, and J. P. Tawse: Intentional Stranding by Mammal-Hunting Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) in the Salish Sea.

We describe the first documented event of intentional stranding by Bigg's (transient) killer whales in the Salish Sea. This high risk behaviour involves killer whale deliberately stranding in order to capture seals or sea lions hauled out on shore. This behaviour has only been documented in killer whale populations in the Southern Hemisphere.The event took place at Protection Island, Washington, and involved a commonly encountered killer whale matriline known as the T065As.

TKWRP researcher and lead author of the study says that "Harbor seals are the main prey of the coastal community of Bigg's killer whales in the Salish Sea. During our research surveys we commonly observe these mammal-hunters foraging in shallow water near exposed haulout sites where harbor seals are known to frequent. While it is not uncommon for us to observe killer whales capturing seals in shallow water, our short note documents the first observations of Bigg's killer whales utilizing intentionally stranding to capture harbor seals in the Salish Sea. This form of foraging is risky and has only been documented in killer whale populations in the Southern Hemisphere. In addition, intentional stranding requires pinniped haulout sites that have smooth bottom substrates and moderately sloped beaches, similar to our observed location."

We are very thankful to Dr. Lawrence Dill, TKWRP advisor and Marilyn-Bob Dahlheim for reviewing our paper and making suggestions on how to make it stronger. We are also thankful to the editors and staff at the Aquatic Mammals Journal for helping us publish this exciting observation.

Photograph of T065A2 intentionally stranding while pursuing harbor seals off Protection Island, Washington. Photograph by Justine Buckmaster.

The Transient Killer Whale Research Project
Hakai Magazine

Marine Mammal Research Unit UBC (MMRU)
NOAA Fisheries West Coast
NOAA Fisheries Service
Port Townsend Marine Science Center

In the current issue of Aquatic Mammals, Josh D. McInnes, Justine N. Buckmaster, Kelsey D. Cullen, Chelsea R. Mathieson, and Josh P. Tawse present their observations of intentional strandings by mammal-hunting killer whales in the Salish Sea.

https://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2103:intentional-stranding-by-mammal-hunting-killer-whales-orcinus-orca-in-the-salish-sea&catid=190&Itemid=326

Josh McInnes is a marine ecologist who has been studying the ecology and behavior of Bigg's (transient) killer whales for the last 15 years. He primarily studies these mammal-hunters off Southern Vancouver Island and Monterey Bay, California.

Josh tells us "Harbor seals are the main prey of the coastal community of Bigg's killer whales in the Salish Sea. During our research surveys we commonly observe these mammal-hunters foraging in shallow water near exposed haulout sites where harbor seals are known to frequent. While it is not uncommon for us to observe killer whales capturing seals in shallow water, our short note documents the first observations of Bigg's killer whales utilizing intentionally stranding to capture harbor seals in the Salish Sea. This form of foraging is risky and has only been documented in killer whale populations in the Southern Hemisphere. In addition, intentional stranding requires pinniped haulout sites that have smooth bottom substrates and moderately sloped beaches, similar to our observed location."

We thank Josh for sharing his thoughts on the topic and the photograph of T065A2 intentionally stranding while pursuing harbor seals off Protection Island, Washington. Photograph by Justine Buckmaster..

11/11/2020

Large wind storm predicted to hit the coast of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia this weekend. Waves reaching 35 ft for southern Oregon and 25ft for the outer coast of Washington.

The fall and winter along the Northeastern Pacific coast is an exciting time to see the raw power of the ocean. Storm watching is a popular event on the west coast of Vancouver Island, and provides economic support for local communities like Victoria, Tofino, and Ucluelet.

While exciting, it is important to follow safety guidelines.

1. Stay high up and at a safe distance from the ocean.

2. Never turn your back on the sea. Rouge waves can easily crash on the beach and carry you out to sea.

3. Be mindful of large waves as flooding can cause damge.

4. Make sure you do not go alone.

Oregon Coast

11/06/2020

The 2020 fall chum salmon run is underway!

Our local Goldstream Provincial Park sees approximately 30,000 chum salmon return from the open ocean each fall to breed and lay eggs in the river!

It is a great opportunity to view this dramatic life event that is so important to our local marine ecosystems!

Salmon born in the river head off to the open ocean for four years to grow before returning to their home stream to reproduce.

11/01/2020

Happy Ocean Chronicles Sunday!

This weekend we are sharing our first published article from 2013! Issue 1 focuses on our past research and encounters with killer whales in the Discovery Passage, a strait of water separating Campbell River from Quadra Island. The Discovery Passage is the terminus and northern boundary of the Strait of Georgia. This area is frequented by killer whales belonging to the transient (Bigg's) and southern and northern resident killer whale communities.

We are always thankful to the Compass Magazine Vancouver Island for continuing to support our educational outreach and for acting as our publisher.

Authors: Josh McInnes & Nick Templeman

11/01/2020

Happy Halloween from all of us at Juan de Fuca Marine Research. Our talented artist Selena Rivera at SSR Photography & Art. created this Halloween Pacific white-sided dolphin piece.

10/28/2020

New integrative wildlife technology is allowing researchers to track the behaviour and ecological parameters of marine mammal populations.

This summer, a state of the art study was conducted by the Marine Mammal Research Unit UBC (MMRU), where they used UAV's, acoustic recordings, and suction cup camera tags on northern and southern resident killer whales to track their foraging behaviour and the abundance of preferred salmon prey.

Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries

Researchers are using drones, geolocation and other cutting-edge tools to follow hard-to-study animals in their natural habitats.

10/27/2020

Today our research team aboard the R/V Tango had a successful survey in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The strait was alive with hundreds of seabirds and they recorded over 15 humpback whales! More details to come.

10/26/2020

Event: Ecology of Bigg's (Transient) Killer Whales with Josh McInnes.

Juan de Fuca Marine Research co-founder Josh McInnes will be sharing a presentation on Bigg's (transient) killer whales for Victoria Natural History Society this Monday October 26, 2020 at 7:30PM for marine night.

The presentation will be on the natural history, ecology, and some of the research we have conducted in the last 10 years.

We are very grateful to Philip Lambert the president and host of marine night for setting this up.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this presentation will be online via Zoom. You can find details by following this link.

To join us, please register by clicking this link or by entering this link in your browser and following the instructions.

https://zoom.us/…/regi…/tJEkd--urT8oGN3-AY8NAcX0c6hlyRLK4iyU

The Transient Killer Whale Research Project

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The Victoria Natural History Society (VNHS), now known as Nature Victoria provides opportunities for those interested in the natural world